Modern liquidation methods of emergency oil spills on water bodies

Abstract

In the article the modern liquidation methods of oil spill and oil products on the water bodies’ surface were reviewed. Multifactorial system "oil – environment" makes it difficult to select the optimal spill liquidation methods. Analysis of ways of dealing with the consequences of spills and their effectiveness for specific conditions will continue to improve existing methods and to establish an effective system of measures to eliminate the consequences of emergency spills of oil and oil products and to minimize economic losses. In the article the liquidation methods of oil spills were analyzed: the characteristics of the most common mechanical, physicochemical, biological methods, their advantages and disadvantages were considered. The applied technologies, devices and tools were analyzed. It was concluded that time is a priority parameter: the first measures for liquidation of emergency spills of oil and oil products, irrespective of the emergency character, shall be directed at the localization of patches to prevent spread of contamination and reduce pollution.